This paper outlines one comprehensive model of suicide & then raises the question: Is such a psychiatric/psychological theory applicable to all suicides in the elderly? To address the question, the author discusses the case of Sigmund Freud; raises the topic of suicide &/or dignified death in the terminally ill; & examines suicide notes of both the terminally ill & nonterminally ill elderly. He concludes that greater study & theory building are needed into the “suicides” of the elderly, including those who are terminally ill. (70 refs)